reliability and mileage

im looking to buy a 1998- 2000 tacoma but everything in my price range has mileage ranging from 140,000 to 200,000. im just looking for a good looking reliable truck to get me from point a to point b and do some awesome off-roading my question is at what point is too many miles? at what mile point do tacomas really start to have problems? any help is appreciated thank you

 

I would say under 150k is solid, but make sure you are aware of the frame rust issues in those years

 

how can i check the frame rust issuse? and how do i know when it becomes a problem? if i do end up getting one at about 150k how long can i expect it to last before it starts to break down

 

I would take it to the dealer to have it inspected. You typically have to watch out for it in placed where road salt is used heavily. If it turns out to be an issue toyota will buy it back for 1.5x Kelly Blue Book value.

I donot have a first gen so hopefully those guys can chime in. All in all I truely believe the first gens are a bit better built than the second gens

 

i see could i expect at least another 100k out of it do you think?

 

definitely, just make sure they kept up with maintenance. Continue to keep up the maintenance once it is yours and I would say it has only see half its days

 

Really?! ive only heard of diesels doing that many. thats great news thank you for taking the time to help me with this

 

No problem. In fact my buddy has a 97 4runner (same v6 engine as the tacomas) and it just turned 200k. Maintenance is key though so be sure you are confident in the previous owner

 

ill make sure to ask about that ... what are some other things i need to know about it to make it a good truck to buy?

 

my first gen has 279,642 miles on it and has never had any problems!!

 

wow thats great to know... i was leaning towards getting a jeep but im sold now haha.

 

Jeeps are maintenance nightmares so if you are looking to get high mileage then you are making the right decision

 

ok great thanks. what are some other things i need to know from the previous owner before buying a tacoma?

 

I would just ask what he used it for. Look for signs of harder use like offroading or heavy towing. stuff like that. Thats all I can think of, hopefully people will fill in the rest

 

alright thank you for all your help

 

remember that water-pump/timing belt maintenance is recomended at 90K on the first gens so you'll want to make sure its been done

 

Like any vehicle...

When you buy a used vehicle, you're buying a history - whether good or bad.

Nobody can say how long any vehicle can last. Surely, Toyotas are known to last a long time if & only if Toyota can get the rust under control.

 

Bite your tonque!!

 

I thought all the 4 bangers during those years had timing chains? Just curious before i make a bad mistake.... J

 

Mine has 138K on it, engine is perfect, body excellent, except for where this dickhead clipped my rear bumper(which I ordered Friday) no frame issues whatsoever. I owned a 1981 toyota pickup with 387K on it, ran better than most 50K cars...